Ebdane: I’ve never been a fence-sitter

Deputy Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., chief of the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (NAKTAF), lashed back yesterday at critics who are questioning his qualifications to become the next chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

In a three-page memorandum dated May 15 and addressed to all PNP personnel, Ebdane said his 30-year career in the national police force has been marked by decisiveness and solid results in times of crisis, particularly when the national interest was at stake.

"Those who have worked with me know that I am a risk-taker and have never been a fence-sitter or a two-faced Janus," he said.

It was the first time Ebdane spoke publicly about the issue since President Arroyo reiterated early this month that she would appoint him to the top PNP post when PNP chief Director General Leandro Mendoza retires in September.

In his memo, Ebdane also answered each point raised by "Concerned PNP officers" in a paid full-page manifesto that appeared in The STAR last May 11.

The advertisement urged Mrs. Arroyo to reconsider her decision to appoint Ebdane as PNP chief.

"Since President Arroyo has announced several times that undersigned is in line for the top post, it is high time that I put forward the facts in the face of such malicious statements that denigrate not only the service that I have done but also the stature of our institution and every member who composes it," he stressed.

Ebdane said that as NAKTAF chief, the task force has earned a 60.6 percent crime solution efficiency rating in combating kidnapping cases.

He expressed optimism that his memorandum, which was distributed to police units over the weekend, would be seen as a "sober and sincere effort" to balance what he described as "a non-stop barrage over the last six months."

In their manifesto, the "concerned PNP officers" asked the President to reconsider the decision she announced on Oct. 25 last year that Ebdane would be the next PNP chief.

"We strongly feel it is our obligation to you as our President in particular and the country in general, to express our reasons why the choice on who should lead the PNP go through another review in broader perspective and not limiting the choice to ONLY ONE by reason of rank seniority or perhaps political considerations," the manifesto read.

"We are concerned because we want our leaders to be professionals with a high sense of public accountability, and who consider the head of the PNP a position of great responsibility rather than one of privilege to be enjoyed even for just one year — an utter display of immense obsession," it added.

Although the President had already announced Ebdane’s supposed succession to the top PNP post, she also decided in March to extend Mendoza’s tour of duty by six months.

However, she stressed early this month that she stands by her previous announcement and said the six-month delay would not affect Ebdane since he is not due for retirement until 2004.

But Mrs. Arroyo was apparently displeased by the full-page ad and acting Press Secretary Silvestre Afable challenged the "concerned PNP officers" who paid for the advertisement to identify themselves.